How To Use A Weighted Blanket To Help A Calm Child

A bed cover to relieve anxiety and help you feel better? A weighted blanket has proven to be beneficial for sleepers.

Most of the talk about bed centers is about what you sleep, not under what you sleep. It turns out that the two should be discussed in harmony. To fall asleep on and under the right conditions you must be a sandwich with a dream blanket.

The use of weighted blankets to quell anxiety in people of all ages owes their origins to Dr. Temple Grandin, a world-renowned behavioral scientist suffering from a developmental disorder called autism. She found that the “squeezing machine” she designed in the 1980s reduced her panic attacks, loss of self-control and aversion to being cuddled, all symptoms of the disorder.

The therapeutic effects “touch deep pressure” of weighted blankets quickly gained popularity as a tool for the treatment of autism and from there they were moved into the public domain. Today, they are widely used to help solve high energy children and promote sleep.

Seek professional advice from your family doctor or pediatrician if your child presents with unusual sleep or behavior problems. It is possible that it is recommended to have the child be examined for several disorders that cause these symptoms. Ask about using a density blanket to help alleviate the problem.

To know how much the blanket should weigh, it will vary depending on the size and weight of your child. Commercially available blankets have pockets that can hold sand, beans, cloth or play dough. They usually weigh 20 to 30 pounds, but most are adjustable. If you prefer to make yourself, the instructions can be found on the Internet.

Give the density blanket time to start helping. If your child is not sleeping well, fatigue can contribute to other behavior problems at home and at school. Allow him to get accustomed to having the blanket above or around him before waiting to see improvements.

Recognize the first warning signs that your child is starting to lose control and take positive action before that happens. Speak slowly, quietly and soothingly and keep your movements calm. At home, let your child lie down in a private, dimly lit area with a blanket and a weighted pillow until the anxiety subsides.

Keep in close contact with your child’s teachers and the school’s occupational therapist to find out about any behavioral changes or focus on homework and learning.

Help your child settle down at least 30 minutes before bedtime. No TV, computer games or other stimulant activities should be allowed. A story read quietly while the child is under the weighted blanket will help to lull you to sleep.

WEIGHTED PLAIN

A density blanket can be a tool to calm a child or adult with a sensory processing disorder, including ADD, ADHD or autism spectrum disorders. You can make your own weighted blanket in any size, measure for the person you are going to use. You will need basic math and sewing skills to make an average weighted blanket for someone you love.